Armed Police Force Club clinched the title of the Prime Minister Cup Women’s National Twenty20 Cricket Tournament for a record-extending sixth time after they defeated Koshi Province by 11 runs in the final match in Kirtipur on Wednesday.

Needing 115 for win, Koshi captain Rubina Chhetry scored 62 runs off 58 balls to lead a thrilling chase at the TU Cricket Ground but victory slipped away from Koshi’s hand after she was stumped in the first ball of the 20th over.

Koshi required 16 runs in the last six balls with opener Chhetry, also the former national team captain, spearheading the chase but Karuna Bhandari removed her to disrupt the progress. Chhetry hit seven fours and one six.

Sabnam Rai took the strike with Lakita Rajbanshi from the other end but Bhandari strangled the pair with her tight last over bowling, allowing them to add only four runs as Koshi could only manage 103-4 in 20 overs.

In fact, the seeds of Koshi’s ruin were planted by APF captain Sita Rana Magar earlier in the 17th over when she bowled out Kajal Shrestha, who had provided a big assistance to Chhetry scoring 22 off 29 balls during their 60-run stand for the second wicket.

Earlier, APF opted to bat first and posted 114-7 in the allotted 20 overs, courtesy of a half century from Indu Barma.

Spinner Alisha Khadiya (2-15) gave an early blow to the APF sending back opener Rana Magar for a cheap one.

Rana Magar’s opening partner Jyoti Pandey contributed 27 runs facing 30 deliveries and was the second batter to leave the crease after Nisha Shah had her caught by Chhetry.

But player-of-the-match Barma smashed 53 runs off 47 balls, which included six boundaries and one six, to help APF reach a fighting total.

Barma, who is also the national team skipper, fell in the first ball of the 20th over to Apsari Begam (3-21), who then got rid of Nary Thapa and Sonu Khadka in the successive balls to complete a hat-trick and cut off the tail.

APF had won their previous titles of the Cup in the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021 editions.

Koshi, who defeated APF in 2020 to win their first title, have now reached the final for three successive seasons but fallen short on each occasion. They lost the title match to Sudurpaschim in the last edition in 2023.

Chhetry was named player-of-the-series. Jyotsnika Marasini of Gandaki Province won the emerging player award, while Suman Khatiwada, also from Gandaki, won the best batter award and Puja Mahato of Madhesh Province the best bowler.

Champions APF walked away with Rs500,000 and runners-up Koshi Rs300,000.

Pandey retires from cricket

It was also a happy ending for the APF wicketkeeper and batter Pandey as the 26-year-old called time on her cricket career following the victory.

Pandey, who made her T20I debut on November 17, 2021 during Nepal Women’s Tour of Qatar, has played 17 international T20I matches for Nepal. She last played for the country on June 4 last year during Nepal’s 3-2 T20I Series win against Malaysia in Bangi.

Pandey, a Biratnagar native, has represented APF since 2011.

Announcing her retirement, Pandey said that she has mixed feelings about leaving the game. “I am both happy and sad,” she said. “I will spend my new journey remembering the memorable moments of my cricketing career.”